There is only one path forward.
“I know, Momma.” She squeezes her mother’s hands with a faint smile. “My life was set when you chose to be with Papa.”
Avina envelopes her in an embrace that squeezes the air from her lungs. “Your father loves you, Aura. As a warrior or an artist. You are not beholden simply because he is Lord Commander.”
“Bjorn and Thora…”
Avina pulls away to cup her face. “If you wish to complete the Trials, I support you. But do so as Aura, not as your siblings or your father.” A sad understanding twinkles in her mother’s blue gaze, identical to Aura’s. With a kiss on her forehead, her Mum steps away.
“I hope this is for you and not that woman you are bedding.”
Aura groans. “Isabel has been supportive-”
“And each time you have brought her home to Blackwood, she has shown your father and me the respect given to worms. I do not trust her. What did you say her surname was again?”
Footsteps echo in the tunnel, and her father appears. His arms, nearly black with ink, are fully displayed with his fitted armor.
“My little Queen!” His usual cold gaze has a way of softening around the family. “I fucking hate when you are out of my sight.” He growls before kissing her passionately, forcing Aura to avert her gaze.
Once he has sufficiently rattled her poor mother, he turns to Aura. Dammit, did his face not tug into a wide smile amidst his long braided auburn beard.
“Kid!” Sigvid pulls Aura into a bear hug. “Are you fucking ready for this?”
“Sig,” Avina interrupts, “we were just discussing how this isher decisionand hers alone.”
“Of course, Kid. But I know you got this!” He claps her on the shoulder. “Thora is gracious enough to allow me to place your medal around your neck once you complete your Trial.”
She fidgets with her fingers, churning over Issie’s words. “Pops, is it possible someone would choose a Death Match?”
“Why? Has someone said something to you?” His calm demeanor shifts into a gruff voice that promises retribution.
“No, no!” she hesitates, knowing he can sniff out the hint of a lie, “I understand it’s an option.”
He cracks his neck, and she is amazed he doesn’t hurt himself. “No one has ever opted for that.”
Her face must betray further discomfort because he tugs her into his chest, pressing a grizzly kiss to her cheek. “Death Matches do not happen.”
Aura feels on the verge of tossing last night’s meal.
Sigvid walks her to the starting gate, which now seems to represent the mouth of some monster of the Abyss. Her mother gives her a final peck on the cheek before climbing into the stadium seats.
Echoing across the field, she hears the Gothi, who uses his Sacred Stone ability to elevate his voice and announce her name and Trial.
“Pops…” She begins to admit the truth pounding in her head.
I can’t do this. I wish to go home!
She grabs the gate's rusting wrought-iron bars, hoping they can steady her feet. A light, familiar tug on her braid draws her attention to her father’s proud smirk.
And that is all the encouragement she needs.
There is no going back.
“WHEN THE GATE CLOSES, THE TRIAL CANNOT BE STOPPED…” The announcer’s voice rattles in her mind.
“Sis!” Bjorn’s suavely dressed form appears behind her father justas the gate creaks open. With a quick hug, he offers the most reassuring expression she has received today.
Uncertainty.
